These are private notes from controversial questions (ONLY) and not expert opinions that I share public! If you pick qualms, please write a rebuttal, and I will post it right here or send me what you want added or taken out. I am willing to debate anybody. The pictures and videos are from the internet public domain and belong to their owners. If you don’t want them here, advise. My hope is that you will know about life, life after death and eventually meet Christ.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Review of the Cameroon Parliament: (National Assembly)-A Political and Administrative History1940-1990 Vol One By Akwo Elonge Published by Anucam in 2008. The Cameroon Parliament is a 223 page book divided into eight chapters. In Chapter one the author lays out the motif of the book, the research methodology and the content of the book. In chapter two, he exposes the history of representative institutions in Cameron. Chapter three, he lays out the advent of European secular institutions of government in Cameroon: representative assemblies from 1946-1961. In Chapter four, he states the emergence of a national assembly. The next chapter talks of the composition of the Cameroon National Assembly from 1972-1986. His next chapter unravels the structure and activities of the governing organs and the secretariat of the National Assembly. The second to the last chapter he spells out the role of the Cameroon National Assembly (CNA) in Cameroon and in conclusion, he recommends some sources for further research. Definitely you will soon see why this book is the first of its kind and one worth reading.

No doubt, other books about the CAN do exist in the French language, but this is the first ever written in English language. Reading anything about the Cameroon National Assembly (CNA- not Caring Nurse Assistant) the cynics may ask two questions: Does Cameroon have a National Assembly and what are its contribution to the political landscape, socio-cultural and welfare of the people of Cameroon. By exploring the political and administrative evolution of Cameroon, Elonge examines the historical evolution of modern representative institutions in Cameroon and describes the composition and organization of the CNA, and he also discusses the various activities and roles of the CNA in the Cameroon society (Page1).

He reveals that in principle legislative institutions differ from the executive and judiciary institutions but in practice, they are a tool in the hands of the executive especially the president that plows with it as he wants. The author limits himself to discussing only the evolution of the legislature in Cameroon in the one party system, probably because even hitherto with the quasi multipartism, the executive still stirs the dough of the judiciary and legislative dough.

In his attempt to make a dichotomy of two types of legislative studies: “The Idealistic School” and “The Realistic School” he indirectly indicts most African assemblies perhaps the reason why “there is a paucity of scholarly works on legislatures in Africa.”

When one considers the research methodology of this book, they are left with little or no doubt that Elonge had the Cameroonian people at heart and wanted them to know everything about their CNA before they can make an informed decision. He conducted face to face elite interviews, participant observations, exhaustive review of primary and secondary sources on the and analysis of collected data.

The author reaffirms the fact that before the advent of the colonizers, Africa and Cameroon practiced a form of democracy in their divine –inspired centralized governments which accounted for the stability of their kingdoms (page 24). Although particular ethnic groups predominantly inhabited certain areas which automatically gave them the governing rights, a pocket of other tribal communities coexisted with them . For example, in some towns of the southwest province like Victoria, Tiko and Kumba there were large communities of Bassas and Bamileke- Francophone speaking ethnic origins. This assertion contradicts Dr Konde’s claims that the Bassas were the first settlers of Victoria. Whatever may be the case, it is clear that before the arrival of the colonizers, there were “independent decentralized segmented structures in the South to more centralized monarchial structures in the North” (page 250).

Furthermore, in chapter three, Elonge starts to unravel the history of Cameroon representative assembly. He divides it into two sections: one dealing with East Cameroun under the French protectorate and West Cameroon though under the British protectorate but represented in the Nigerian House of Assembly. From 1946-1972, East Cameroun had different assemblies: Assemblée Representative Du Cameroon (ARCAM)-Page 64. From 1952-1957 was Assemblée Territorial Du Cameroon (ATCAM).

The formation of Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC) will slowly but steadily kill both ARCAM and ATCAM because these assemblies were stooges of the French government and the UPC advocated for a total evacuation of the French government from Cameroon. So in 196 ATCAM was dissolved to form Assemble legislative Du Cameroon (ALCAM). It will function until the formation of the federal government between West Cameroon and East Cameroun.

On the other hand, West Cameroon which was a British trusteeship territory had Northern and Southern Cameroons. This book does not discuss the historical evolution of the Northern Cameroons because it was governed directly into Northern Nigeria which even became a state called Gongola that was later renamed Taraba and is currently called Adamawa State let by Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako.

From 918-1945, Britiain governed her part of Cameroon as the British Trusteeship Southern Cameroons (BTSC). The Southern Cameroons politicians protested their second class citizenship (Page 81). Perhaps it is necessary to understand that, Southern Cameroons had experienced independent and parliamentary rule earlier than East Cameroon. However, the commissioner of Southern Cameroons was still the leader of the House of Assembly. A new house of Assembly was elected in 1959 leading to the UN plebiscite. After the plebiscite saw the emergence of the National Assembly from 1960-1972 when the referendum will kill and destroy the identity of the Southern Cameroonians.

On October 1, 1961 Cameroon became a Federal State with both houses of assembles East Cameroon and The West Cameroon House of Assembly to form the Federal National Assembly. Ab initio it was to comprise of delegates from both former houses of assemblies of both federations. Rather than being voted, they were appointed by president Ahidjo who was unsure of the representatives that will be voted into parliament (page 99). This again helped to erode the powers of the Southern Cameroons in the federation. By the time the first assembly sat in April 27, 1962, Southern Cameroons had Ahidjo’s stooges representing her interests. This will lead to the formation of a unitary state which took place after the referendum of 1972.

After the referendum, the National Assembly was formed. In this assembly, deputies were elected from the seven provinces on basis of the population of each province (page 135). In this assembly English and French were adopted as the two official languages of Cameroon. It is surprising to see that from 1972 until now, Cameroon has not been able to promote an indigenous language or a common hybrid language like either pidgin or adopt one of the local languages as the national language to shed itself from the residue of colonization.

Indeed when one looks at the role of the National Assembly: to make laws, party membership, leadership training, serve as a bridge between the new general and older generation of political elites, and lobbying for regional development, one is left to wonder if it has fulfilled these roles at all.

Two things must me noted. The assembly-legislative is not independent of the president (executive). Most of the bills that the president feels threatened have gone in the way of presidential degrees.

The notion of lobbying for national constituency, have catapulted into nepotism and tribal politics where each deputy represented his region or district of origin (Page 186). No doubt even in American and British democracies-experienced and well developed democracies there is still representative democracy. However, it is now more a family or tribal representation where certain tribes though from the same region are more considered than the others because that is the exact tribe of the parliamentarian.

Notwithstanding, Cameroon Parliament: (National Assembly)-A Political and Administrative History1940-1990 Vol One is a wonderful book written in lucid and fluid English. It is an eye opener to those who want to be involved in Cameroon politics and even those who want to even talk about it. No one should be talking about Cameroon politics without having read a book like this one. The author exposes the secrets of the National Assembly by bringing real scenarios and real people so you can be the judge of your own democracy.

Until then, Cameroonians should take possession of their own destiny by reading this book.

Prince & PA Hamilton Ayuk.

“Bonyfish beware because the same net that caught the jawless fish, caught the cartilaginous fish” (Hamilton Ayuk).Beware earthly paradise seekers because there is a serpent in every paradise"(Hamilton Ayuk).Idle people write, idler people read, and idlest people read and whine that idle people are taking their time (Hamilton Ayuk).

Monday, August 9, 2010

I am sure you have watched the video, so I am going to make annotations on it. Derek Redmond was the favorite to win the 400 m race in the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 when a hamstring disaster struck. He could not continue the race, so he fell down and wept. Later he woke up and tried to finish the race. His father ran through the security to help his son. He tried to encourage him to stop running because he did not have anything to prove to anybody. Redmond insisted to finish the race, so they limped through the finish line on a standing ovation of the crowd .

This video reminded me of Moses, Aaron and Hur during the battle of Rephidim against the Amalekites. Moses had to intercede for Joshua to keep winning in the battlefield, but his hands were getting tired; as a result, Aaron and Hur took stones to support his hands (Ex 17:10-16). The Christian race is not looking for the first, but those who will complete the race. It is expedient that we help each other complete the race. Let me ask you this: are you ready to give up in life? Where is the dream you had? Who are you helping to finish the race of life? Ok now, I entreat you to learn from Derek Redmond.

The first thing we should learn from his situation is that none should ever boast himself/herself of tomorrow; for he/she does not know what a day may bring forth. On May 11, 2010, a Belmont couple who just celebrated their 45 anniversary died from a plane crash . They did not know they will die on this day.

The second lesson we learn is that God is always by our side. He wants to help us if we can allow him to do that. He knows our chagrins and sees us cry in secret as in public. It depended on Redmond whether his father should help him or not. He put his head on his father’s shoulder and cried. God wants you to trust him and cry on his shoulder. Why are you crying on shoulders that cannot help you? Cry on the one who began the race with you and who is ready to finish with you. He created you and knows your end.

Thirdly, we all are on journey on earth. It is not who finishes first but who finishes the race at all. So if we are not going to win a trophy because we finish first, why are we jealous of one another? Why do we try to destroy each other? Why the schadenfreude? You must be your brother’s keeper. Are you your sister’s keeper? Will you be happy if you were left on this earth alone?

Finally, through his trial we learn that all things work for the good of them that love the lord. He did not win the Olympic medal, but he had endorsements for endurance and for resistance. He became the epitome of resistance. He is even on a visa commercial. Even people who finished the race did not obtain the recompense he had. Derek Redmond taught us never to give up in life and to fight till the end. Today I encourage you to never give up and to encourage others to never give up.

Until then, God bless you as we run this race of life.

Prince & PA Hamilton Ayuk

“Bonyfish beware because the same net that caught the jawless fish, caught the cartilaginous fish” (Hamilton Ayuk).Beware earthly paradise seekers because there is a serpent in every paradise"(Hamilton Ayuk).Idle people write, idler people read, and idlest people read and whine that idle people are taking their time (Hamilton Ayuk).

Nowadays, the news ache our ears, and the experiences disillusion us. Many women are going through very unpleasant situations with men they thought were their terrestrial felicity. The tales about their emotional and physical torture make even a rock sheds tears. Why has true love eluded so many? Has it got anything to do with age or would age help? There has always been a busybody buzz whenever you see a couple with age disparity. Generally, if the woman is older than the man, gossipers call her "cougar" and say the man is there for the money, but if the man is older than the woman, rumormongers say the man still has it. A common trend in Mexico is that older men abandon their marriages for younger women. Does a huge age disparity matter in love then? Many Christians and students have always asked me the question. This lesson will examine different couples in the Bible with a huge age disparity and from there establish conclusive principles. Furthermore, it will carve out concepts from those situations and show them how to escape the snares.

Notwithstanding, age may matter to an extent. If a man expects to have his own kids, and he takes a woman who has past her prime of conception, he may not be doing himself justice. Age then will matter!

Woody Allen is 35 years older than Soon-Yi and he thinks their relationship is paternal. Rene Angelil first met and worked with Celine Dion when she was 12 and he was 38. They began a relationship when she was 19 and have been together ever since.These few are names that one can count at the blink of the eye. Sometimes people have argued that when a younger person marries an older person, it is for the money. While the love of money is the root of all evil, money answereth all things (ECCL 10:19). There is nothing bad in actually using a stone to shoot two birds. If the person who loves you can afford more than you, it should be a blessing. It is opportunistic when you go out looking for rich people. Those who do that have actually met disastrous destinies.

Psychologically, the older man is most at times mature, gentle, mellow, and patient. Since the younger woman will mature faster and sooner or later she will catch up with the man in physiognomy, that will bring them to almost equal levels.

Biologically, the woman’s emotional needs are more than those of a man. If such a pairing is used properly, they will actually be in real paradise on earth. Since beauty is one of the parameters considered before a woman is chosen, then she will still keep her beauty even in her wane days. Let’s have a quick glance at the Bible.

Abraham and Sarah Genesis 17:15 had a ten years difference. According to Bible traditions, it is recorded that Boaz was twice older than Ruth.

Tradition too has it that David was far older than Bathsheba (II Samuel 11:3). Bathsheba was taking a shower when David saw her. David asked for her to be brought to him. She willingly consented to the relationship because probably though young, she knew that the older man had what she needed in life. I have always wondered why two illegal immigrants get married, rather than using a stone to shoot two birds. They should have married for love and for papers too. David brings in his acumen to win bread for the family and Bathsheba brought her youthful vigor to energize David to greater heights (2 Sam 11:3).

The story of Nabal and Abigail is very didactic. Nabal had all that a man would want in life and that had made him arrogant. Abigail found in Nabal what she wanted. The fear of losing it propelled her to use her beauty and feminine side to quench David’s anger (I Samuel 25:14).

I am sure we all know that king Ahasuerus was twice the age of Esther before he took her as a queen (Esther 2:16).

Therefore, the woman should be far younger (above the age of consent) than the man because women mature faster than men in personality and intellect. When the woman is older than the man, the elasticity limit is far shorter than when the man is older than the woman.

However, age disparity does not determine the outcome of marriage since people of the same age are divorcing. What matters in a relationship is supernatural love which is attained by exfoliating our egoism and primitive instincts. The man must love his wife and be ready to die for her. I don’t mean going to commit a crime to show your love like the guy who went and stole a limo to take his wife out for a wedding anniversary. The wife must submit herself to the husband as unto the Lord. Women who have done this have always had a joyful home, but those who think the contrary have hopped from one marriage to another or ended up with many heartbreaks. Ab initio, the creation of the institution of marriage, God told Adam he was making a helpmeet. It does not say he was making him a servant or property, so the later tradition where women became the property of men was a deviation from the purpose God. Whatever the age, the spouses should submit to each other to experience the bliss in marriage.

Until then, marry the person that will give you true love and joy.

Prince & PA Hamilton Ayuk

“Bonyfish beware because the same net that caught the jawless fish, caught the cartilaginous fish” (Hamilton Ayuk).Beware earthly paradise seekers because there is a serpent in every paradise"(Hamilton Ayuk).Idle people write, idler people read, and idlest people read and whine that idle people are taking their time (Hamilton Ayuk).

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